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The BBC was contacted by numerous whistleblowers after it was claimed security staff at the O2 Brixton Academy regularly took bribes to allow music fans without tickets into events. In this post we look at what a recent BBC investigation revealed.
Eight years ago, in 2015, the BBC reported that many thousands of licensed security staff were likely to be working in the UK using false, fraudulently obtained qualifications. At that time the SIA (Security Industry Authority), which reports directly to the Home Office, asserted that they “take allegations of training malpractice seriously.” The Industry Qualifications examination board, responsible for issuing awards based on examination papers and information provided by assessment centres, stated they would carry out a full investigation of the training providers revealed by the BBC to have issued fraudulent qualifications.
A Home Office spokesperson at the time said: "We take allegations of malpractice very seriously and any criminal behaviour will be addressed."
But a recent investigation in which 12 companies offering Level 2 SIA door supervisor courses were approached revealed that many advertise “near-100% pass rates” and offer “no pass no fee” enticements. Four of the companies approached offered the investigator shortened courses which breach regulations.
What is the SIA?
The Private Sector Industry Act (2001) established the Security Industry Authority (SIA). Section 3 of this important legislation makes it a criminal offence for unlicensed people to engage in conduct for which a licence is required. This means working in a private security capacity without an appropriate licence is against the law.
Who Needs an SIA Licence?
Those working in security roles are required to hold an SIA licence if the work they are doing is part of a ‘contract for services’ and involves ‘licensable activity’. A ‘contract for services’ exists when a company is contracted to provide services to another organisation, such as providing security personnel to a retail store, or a self-employed person who provides close protection services to someone visiting the UK.
SIA licences are not required by those who are employed ‘in-house’ in security roles. For example, if the employer is a supermarket chain the security staff at their stores are not required to be SIA licensed.
But there are two important ‘licensable activities’ for which SIA licences are mandatory regardless of whether security personnel are employed in-house or as part of a contract for services. Door supervision at licensed premises is one of these - the other is vehicle immobilising in Northern Ireland.
There are a number of circumstances in which SIA licences are not required. Volunteers who have a written or spoken agreement and don’t receive payment don’t need a licence. Those responsible for checking whether people have tickets also don’t need a licence, but they do need a licence to refuse entry or eject them. An SIA licence isn’t required for people conducting stewarding responsibilities such as guiding people to their seats or telling people where facilities are located.
The term ‘licensable activities’ encompasses a wide range of security responsibilities including manned guarding, key holding and vehicle immobilisation (in Northern Ireland). Five types of manned guarding licences are available. All of these are front-line SIA licences.
- Cash and valuables in transit licence. For guarding property and assets against damage or theft and transporting it in a vehicle designed for secure transportation
- Close protection licence. For bodyguards.
- Door supervision licence. For those responsible for guarding licensed premises against damage, theft, unauthorised access or disorderly behaviour. This is the licencing required by bouncers.
- Public space surveillance licence. For those using CCTV equipment to guard premises and observe the public.
- Security guard licence. For those responsible for guarding premises or property against damage, theft, unauthorised access or disorderly behaviour.
How to Get an SIA Licence
There are two primary types of SIA licence:
- Front line SIA licence
- Non-front line SIA licence.
Anyone involved in front-line activities as part of their job is required to hold a front-line licence. This applies to everyone from managers to door staff who might undertake front-line duties. Most front-line licences are blue plastic photocards, worn by holders so they can be seen by the public.
Non-front line licences are are required by those who manage, supervise or employ people engaged in licensable front-line duties. These licences, generally in the form of a letter, are also required by directors or partners in businesses that provide licensable front-line services.
Gaining the necessary SIA recognised licence qualification generally requires attendance on an approved training course and passing the end-of-course examination. To be accepted on one of these training programs applicants must fulfil the following criteria:
- Aged 18 or over.
- Passed an identity check
- Passed a criminal record check
- Hold the appropriate SIA recognised licence related qualification
- Have the right to work in the UK.
Value of a Front Line SIA Licence
Appropriately licenced and vetted front-line door staff have a high level of responsibility. They often need to manage queues of people waiting to enter an event, night-club, casino or other premises. They need to ensure those entering are legally allowed to be there, premises capacity isn’t exceeded and patrons are always safe and secure. Front-line door security staff or bouncers are not only responsible for protecting staff and patrons, they also need to protect the business by making certain rules and regulations are always adhered to.
Front-line security roles can be dangerous, requiring professional skills in dealing with often challenging and potentially violent situations. This is why regulations and certifications are now a standard requirement for anyone whose role involves guarding licensed premises.
The various front-line SIA licences have specific training and certification requirements. For example, SIA Door Supervisor Licence involves taking part in a six day training course from an approved provider, covering the knowledge and skills required in the role and culminating in an examination. This licence would enable holders to work as door supervisors for nightclubs, casinos and bars, work in event security, act as a corporate security officer, provide retail security and more.
The Public Space Surveillance Licence required to work as a CCTV Operator involves a three day training course from an approved provider. This training and qualification enables holders to work as CCTV operators for local authorities or commercial organisations, camera enforcement operators and many other CCTV related roles.
Close Protection Officers (bodyguards) require a CPO SIA licence which involves a training course that runs over 16 to 19 days. People holding this valuable qualification are able to undertake work as bodyguards for VIPs and celebrities, protect high value individuals and provide asset security.
Corruption of the SIA Training and Licencing System
The recent BBC File on 4 investigation has clearly revealed concerning corruption of the SIA training and licencing process. Although the Security Industry Authority (SIA) had previously (back in 2015) asserted how they take allegations of training malpractice seriously and the Home Office had also stated they take allegations of malpractice very seriously and any criminal behaviour would be addressed, corruption of the training and licensing system remains worryingly apparent.
Sham training courses are enabling people to fraudulently obtain SIA licences. The investigation revealed how approved training course providers, listed on the SIA website, were allowing people to pay extra to start their training on day 5 of the required 6 day course. This meant attendees would completely miss a number of important, mandatory training modules, including first aid.
Timesheets, used to confirm SIA licensing applicants had undergone the required training, were being forged. One of the investigated training providers didn’t even offer the full six day course. They offered the investigator a three day course and immediately required the falsification of timesheets for six days. On their final third day, when they sat their examination, candidates were provided with the correct answers.
When presented with the evidence the SIA acknowledged that it suggested criminality. However, the specific training providers confronted with compiled evidence of shortened courses and fraudulent attendace claims have denied all allegations or refused to respond.
Unsuitable People in Important Security Roles
The SIA is investigating allegations that some security staff at the O2 Academy in Brixton regularly took bribes to allow people without tickets to enter the popular venue It has been claimed that as many as a couple of hundred extra people would be allowed into the concert hall by door staff in exchange for cash.
In December 2023 an horrendous tragedy occurred at the O2 Academy in Brixton when two people died in a crush. Its alleged that instead of ensuring the venue capacity wasn’t exceeded some of those entrusted with front-line door security responsibilities had enabled hundreds of additional people to enter the concert hall, way in excess of the venue capacity. A security guard at the popular venue stated that members of his team would each allow “a couple of hundred” extra people to gain entry in exchange for money. The local council suspended Brixton Academy’s licence for three months in response to the tragedy.
Paul Greaney KC, the legal counsel to the inquiry into the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing has stated he remains extremely concerned about the safety of people attending events. He said that his inquiry had revealed that if Manchester Arena security staff had received proper training it would have made a “decisive difference” to what happen by either entirely averting the attack or in aiding those injured.
Unsuitable people (criminals) are getting SIA licences from fraudulent training providers and then exploiting their positions to make money by letting people in for direct cash payments. The public clearly can’t rely on the blue SIA badge as an indicator that someone has undergone the required training and gained the necessary qualification to undertake door supervisor responsibilities.
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